Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake with NILLA Wafer Crust

Name: Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake with NILLA Wafer Crust
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 330 min
Yield: 16
Ingredients: 50 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups); 1 cup pecans, divided; ¼ cup butter, melted; 4 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup sour cream; 3 Tbsp. flour; 1 Tbsp. vanilla; 4 eggs; ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping

If you always save room for creamy caramel-topped cheesecake at your favorite restaurant, make this one with a delicious NILLA Wafer crust on your menu at home tonight. All the delectable flavor without the tab, plus you get to impress your family and friends.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 16 servings.

Ingredient list

50 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
¼ cup butter, melted
4 pkg. (8 oz. each) brick cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. vanilla
4 eggs
¼ cup caramel ice cream topping

Directions

Heat oven to 325°F.

Mix wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup nuts and butter; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream, flour and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

Bake 45 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 4 hours. Drizzle with topping; top with remaining nuts. Let stand until topping is firm.

Recipe Tips

Better For You
Save 50 calories, 7 g fat including 4 g sat fat per serving by preparing with Neufchatel cheese and reduced-fat sour cream.
How to Soften Cream Cheese
Place completely unwrapped package of cream cheese in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 10 sec. or just until softened. Add 15 sec. for each additional package of cream cheese.
Easy Cleanup
Line pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Use foil handles to lift chilled cheesecake from pan.
How to Test Cheesecake Doneness
To avoid overbaking a cheesecake, check for doneness at the minimum baking time by gently shaking the pan. If the cheesecake is done, the edge should be slightly puffed and it will be set except for a small area in the center that will be soft and jiggly. Do not insert a knife into the center as this may cause the cheesecake to crack during cooling.
How to Store Your Cheesecake
Your Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake cane be stored, covered, in the frig up to 3 days. You can also freeze cheesecake for up to one month. When freezing, wrap the cheesecake in moisture proof wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
How to Cut a Cheesecake
When cutting a cheesecake, use a knife with a thin blade, wiping the blade with a damp paper towel or rinsing with warm water after each cut for best results. Or, try using unwaxed dental floss. Just cut an 18-inch piece of floss, then wrap the ends around your index fingers. Cut the cheesecake in half by pulling the floss through the cheesecake, starting at top surface of cheesecake and keeping the floss pulled tight. Release one end of the floss and pull through bottom of cheesecake. Rewrap the floss and use to cut cheesecake into desired number of slices.